Famous Beef & Dogs

Where’s the beef, you ask? Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park serves Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches at a no-frills, cash-only spot, and was a favorite of the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. Another TV chef, Rachael Ray, voted Gene and Jude’s in River Grove the best hot dog in America. Since 1946, the no-seating place has doled out dogs the Chicago way—with no ketchup (they don’t even keep it on the premises).

Mickey’s Drive-In in Bellwood opened in 1959, and is famous for their hot dogs (they’re in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame!). They also serve up great Italian beef, Polish sausage and meatball sandwiches. To this day, it’s still owned by the same family.